FORMER pop star P J Proby did an autograph session in Evesham last Thursday - after appearing in the town court.

Now living on incapacity benefit, Proby was charged - under his real name of James Marcus Smith - with having no insurance or test certificate and driving other than in accordance with his licence in Castle Street, Worcester, on August 25.

Smith, aged 63, of Twyford, Evesham, pleaded guilty and was fined £160 and ordered to pay £35 costs at the rate of £5 a week.

His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Before he left the court building, he signed autographs for court staff - but no-one would have known who he was under his real name had they not been told by the Journal court reporter.

Tony Glazer, prosecuting, said Smith, a learner driver on his own in the Ford Granada, was very co-operative when stopped by police. "I put my hands up. I have no insurance or test certificate. There are reasons which I will explain in court," Smith said. "Save me a cell."

Julie Simms, for Smith, explained: "He didn't have anyone to supervise him on that occasion and needed to take his car to Worcester for repairs so that he could drive it safely.

"The person who normally accompanied him had to drive another vehicle to get them back and he couldn't find anyone else to supervise him."

Incapacity benefit

She said Smith had rarely needed to drive himself in this country until now and so had no real need of a driving licence.

"It is his intention to take a test when he has the opportunity to do so," she said.

Miss Simms said Smith was living on incapacity benefit, though that had been suspended, and half his rent came from housing benefit.

"Finances are particularly difficult," she said.

Court chairman Stuart Allerton told Smith: "We have taken into account your early guilty plea and your financial situation in coming to our decision."